Flexible shoulder pin module for installing a panel on an assembly

ABSTRACT

A flexible shoulder pin module includes a barrel having an annular head portion, a cylindrical body portion, and a through-hole extending from a top surface of the body portion to a bottom end of the head portion; and a shoulder pin having a shaft portion and a shoulder portion formed thereon. The through-hole includes a first portion adjacent to the top surface of the body portion, and a second portion having a greater diameter than the first portion. The shaft portion is insertable through the first portion into the second portion. The shoulder portion is configured to adjustably extend above the top surface of the body portion to clamp a panel thereto. A compressible device is configured to be disposed around the shaft portion and secured by a stopper panel, which is coupled to the shaft portion and placed adjacent to the head portion within the second portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toU.S. Provisional Application No. 63/130,186, entitled “Flexible ShoulderPin,” and filed on Dec. 23, 2020. The contents of that application arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to installation of a panel toassemblies, and more specifically, to a flexible shoulder pin moduleused in installing a printed circuit board (PCB) or a panel to anassembly board of an electrical or mechanical assembly.

BACKGROUND

Computing systems, such as servers, include one or more printed circuitboards (PCB) and panels having electrical and mechanical components. ThePCBs and panels are installed on various assembly boards. The assemblyboards include one or more shoulder pins for installation of the PCBs orpanels thereon. The shoulder pins generally known in the art aredesigned to include a fixed amount of clearance for accommodating thePCBs and panels. The fixed amount of clearance may cause unwantedfloating after installation of some PCBs and panels, if the PCBs andpanels have a lower thickness than the fixed amount of clearance. Thefloating may be caused from bowing and turning of the installed PCBs andpanels. Accordingly, it is desirable to have shoulder pins that aredesigned to prevent unwanted floating movement of the installed PCBs andpanels.

SUMMARY

The term embodiment and like terms are intended to refer broadly to allof the subject matter of this disclosure and the claims below.Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of theclaims below. Embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein aredefined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various aspects of the disclosure and introducessome of the concepts that are further described in the DetailedDescription section below. This summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter; nor is it intendedto be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The subject matter should be understood by reference toappropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, anyor all drawings and each claim.

In one embodiment, a flexible shoulder pin module for securing a panelto an assembly board is disclosed The flexible shoulder pin moduleincludes a barrel, a shoulder pin, a stopper panel, and a compressibledevice. The barrel includes an annular head portion, a cylindrical bodyportion formed on the head portion, and a through-hole. The body portionhas a lesser perimeter and a greater height than the head portion. Thethrough-hole extends from a top surface of the body portion to a bottomend of the head portion. The through-hole includes a first portionadjacent to the top surface of the body portion and a second portionhaving a greater diameter than the first portion. The shoulder pinincludes a shaft portion and a shoulder portion formed on the shaftportion. The shaft portion is configured to be insertable through thefirst portion of the through-hole and extend above the top surface ofthe body portion. The shoulder portion is configured to adjustablyextend above the top surface of the body portion to clamp the panelthereto. The stopper panel is configured to be coupled to the shaftportion within the second portion of the through-hole adjacent to thehead portion. The compressible device is configured to be disposedaround the shaft portion and secure within the second portion of thethrough-hole by the stopper panel.

In another embodiment, an assembly having at least one assembly boardand a panel is disclosed. The panel is secured to the at least oneassembly board by a screw and at least one flexible shoulder pin module.The flexible shoulder pin module includes a barrel, a shoulder pin, astopper panel, and a compressible device. The barrel includes an annularhead portion, a cylindrical body portion formed on the head portion, anda through-hole. The body portion has a lesser perimeter and a greaterheight than the head portion. The through-hole extends from a topsurface of the body portion to a bottom end of the head portion. Thethrough-hole includes a first portion adjacent to the top surface of thebody portion and a second portion having a greater diameter than thefirst portion. The shoulder pin includes a shaft portion and a shoulderportion formed on the shaft portion. The shaft portion is configured tobe insertable through the first portion of the through-hole and extendabove the top surface of the body portion. The shoulder portion isconfigured to adjustably extend above the top surface of the bodyportion to clamp the panel thereto. The stopper panel is configured tobe coupled to the shaft portion within the second portion of thethrough-hole adjacent to the head portion. The compressible device isconfigured to be disposed around the shaft portion and secured withinthe second portion of the through-hole by the stopper panel.

In yet another embodiment, a method of installing a panel on an assemblyboard of an assembly is disclosed. The method includes forming one ormore flexible shoulder pin modules and integrating the one or moreflexible shoulder pin modules with the assembly board. The methodfurther includes fastening one end of the panel to the assembly board bya screw and inserting each of the one or more flexible shoulder pinmodules into a corresponding hole in the panel. The method furtherincludes pressing each of the one or more flexible shoulder pin modulesagainst the panel, until a shoulder portion of a shoulder pin in each ofthe one or more flexible shoulder pin modules clamps the panel against atop surface of a cylindrical body portion in each of the one or moreflexible shoulder pin modules.

The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or everyaspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merelyprovides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forthherein. The above features and advantages, and other features andadvantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from thefollowing detailed description of representative embodiments and modesfor carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure, and its advantages and drawings, will be betterunderstood from the following description of exemplary embodimentstogether with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a flexible shoulder pin module,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the flexible shoulder pinmodule of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 1C is a top view of the flexible shoulder pin module of FIG. 1A,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional side view of the flexible shoulder pinmodule of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flexible shoulderpin module of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the flexible shoulder pin module of FIG. 1Ashowing adjustability of the flexible shoulder pin therein, according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the flexible shoulder pin module of FIG. 1Ainstalled on a panel, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of initial method step(s) offorming the flexible shoulder pin module of FIG. 1A, according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of a first method step of formingthe flexible shoulder pin module of FIG. 1A, according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional side view of a second method step,subsequent to the first method step of FIG. 3B, of forming the flexibleshoulder pin module of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional side view of the flexible shoulder pinmodule of FIG. 1A formed by the method steps of FIGS. 3A-3C, accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a method step of integrating a flexibleshoulder pin module with an assembly board, according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the flexible shoulder pin module integratedwith the assembly board, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 4C is a top view of the flexible shoulder pin module integratedwith the assembly board, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of installing and removing a panelhorizontally mounted on an assembly board using flexible shoulder pinmodules of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of securing the panel horizontally mountedon the assembly board with a screw, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of installing and removing a panelvertically mounted on an assembly board using flexible shoulder pinmodules of FIG. 1A, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of securing the panel vertically mountedon the assembly board with a screw, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of initiating a golden finger matingbetween the panel horizontally mounted on the assembly board of FIGS.5A-5B and the panel vertically mounted on the assembly board of FIGS.6A-6B, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of completed golden finger mating betweenthe panel horizontally mounted on the assembly board of FIGS. 5A-5B andthe panel vertically mounted on the assembly board of FIGS. 6A-6B,according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a method of forming one or more flexibleshoulder pin modules, according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a method of integrating a flexibleshoulder pin module with the assembly board, according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a method of installing a panel on anassembly board of an assembly, according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein.

The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, and some representative embodiments have been shownby way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, thedisclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals areused throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements.The figures are not drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustratethe instant invention. Several aspects of the invention are describedbelow with reference to example applications for illustration. It shouldbe understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methodsare set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. Onehaving ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readilyrecognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-knownstructures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring theinvention. The embodiments are not limited by the illustrated orderingof acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/orconcurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustratedacts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordancewith the present invention.

Elements and limitations that are disclosed, for example, in theAbstract, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitlyset forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims,singly, or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. Forpurposes of the present detailed description, unless specificallydisclaimed, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word“including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words ofapproximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,”“approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,”or “nearly at,” or “within 3-5% of” or “within acceptable manufacturingtolerances,” or any logical combination thereof, for example.

With regards to the present disclosure, the terms “computing device” or“computing system” or “computing system” or “computer” refer to anyelectronically-powered or battery-powered equipment that has hardware,software, and/or firmware components, where the software and/or firmwarecomponents can be configured for operating features on the device.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a flexible shoulder pin moduleused in installing a printed circuit board (PCB) or a panel to anassembly board of an electrical or mechanical assembly. The flexibleshoulder pin module can be adapted for use with PCBs and panels havingdifferent thicknesses. The flexible shoulder pin module has a barrel anda shoulder pin configured to adjustably extend above the barrel tosecure a PCB or panel of any thickness. The shoulder pin is connected toa compressible device placed within a through-hole in the barrel. Thisenables PCBs and panels to be quickly secured and released from assemblyboards on which they are installed. The flexible shoulder pin module isdescribed with respect to different views presented in FIGS. 1A-1E.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspectiveview of a flexible shoulder pin module 100. FIG. 1C is a top view of theflexible shoulder pin module 100. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional sideview, and FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flexibleshoulder pin module 100.

The flexible shoulder pin module 100 includes a barrel 105, a shoulderpin 150, a stopper panel 160, and a compressible device 170. The barrel105, the shoulder pin 150, and the stopper panel 160 are made from afree-cutting steel such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, carbonsteel, and the like. The barrel 105 includes an annular head portion110, a cylindrical body portion 120 and a through-hole 140 (FIGS.1D-1E). The head portion 110 has a base of a closed geometric shape. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the head portion 110 has ahexagon-shaped base. However, other shapes such as a circle, square,pentagon, and the like are also contemplated for the head portion 110.The head portion 110 has a perimeter P_(h) and a height H_(h). The headportion has an upper surface 112, a lower surface 114 (FIGS. 1D-1E), anda wall 116 projecting outward from the lower surface 114 (FIGS. 1D-1E).The wall 116 has a bottom end 118.

The body portion 120 has a base of a closed geometric shape. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the body portion 120 has a circularbase. However, other shapes such as a square, pentagon, hexagon, and thelike are also contemplated for the body portion 120. The body portion120 has a top surface 122 with a chamfered edge 123 (FIGS. 1A-1D). Thebody portion 120 is connected to the head portion 110 through a notch124 (FIGS. 1D-1E) around the body portion 120. The body portion 120 hasa perimeter P_(b) less than the perimeter P_(h) of the head portion 110.The body portion 120 has a height H_(b) greater than the height H_(h) ofthe head portion 110.

As shown in FIGS. 1D-1E, the through-hole 140 in the barrel extends fromthe top surface 122 of the body portion 120 to the bottom end 118 of thewall 116 projecting outward from the lower surface 114 of the headportion 110. The through-hole 140 has a first portion 142 adjacent tothe top surface 122 of the body portion 120. The first portion 142 ofthe through-hole 140 has a first wall 144 at a first diameter D₁. Thethrough-hole 140 has a second portion 146 between the first portion 142and the bottom surface 114 of the head portion 110. The second portion146 of the through-hole 140 has a second wall 148 at a second diameterD₂. The second diameter D₂ is greater than the first diameter D₁, andthus the second portion 146 of the through-hole 140 has more volume thanthe first portion 142 of the through-hole 140. In some embodiments suchas shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the second wall 148 of the second portion 146of the through-hole 140 is flared to connect with the first wall 144 ofthe first portion 142 of the through-hole 140.

The shoulder pin 150 includes a shaft portion 152 and a shoulder portion155 formed on the shaft portion 152. The shaft portion 152 is configuredto be insertable through the first portion 142 of the through-hole 140.The shaft portion 152 extends through the through-hole 140 above the topsurface 122 of the body portion 120. The shaft portion 152 has a bottomsurface 154 and a bottom wall 156 projecting outward from the bottomsurface 154 to surround an opening 158. The bottom wall 156 projectsvertically outward upon construction but is flared during the formationof the flexible shoulder pin module 100.

The shoulder portion 155 has an upper chamfered edge 159 and a lowerchamfered edge 157. The acts as knob for maneuvering the shaft portion152 within the through-hole 140 to accommodate PCBs and panels ofvarying thicknesses. FIG. 2A is a side view of the flexible shoulder pinmodule 100 showing adjustability of the shoulder pin 150, while FIG. 2Bis a side view of the flexible shoulder pin module 100 installed on apanel such a PCB 210. The shoulder portion 155 of the shoulder pin 150is configured to adjustably extend by a distance ‘y’ above the topsurface 122 of the body portion 120 to accommodate the PCB 210 having athickness ‘z’. The shoulder portion 155 clamps the PCB 210 or anotherpanel to the top surface 122 of the body portion 120. The lowerchamfered edge 157 of the shoulder portion 155 acts as a lead-in tominimize the contact force on the PCB 210.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-1E again, the compressible device 170 isconfigured to be disposed around the shaft portion 152 and securedwithin the second portion 146 of the through-hole 140 by the stopperpanel 160. In some embodiments, the compressible device 170 is amechanical spring. The compressible device 170 is configured to compresswithin the second portion 146 of the through-hole 140, when pressed downby the shoulder pin 150, to secure the PCB 210 or another panel to anassembly board. The compressible device 170 is configured to decompresswithin the second portion 146 of the through-hole 140, when lifted up bythe shoulder pin 150, to release the PCB 210 or another panel from theassembly board.

The stopper panel 160 is configured to be disposed within the secondportion 146 of the through-hole 140. The stopper panel 160 is generallypositioned adjacent to the head portion 110. The stopper panel 160 hasan upper surface 162, a lower surface 164 and an aperture 166 betweenthe upper surface 162 and the lower surface 164. The bottom wall 156 ofthe shaft portion 152 is disposed through the aperture 166. As discussedbelow, the bottom wall 156 is flared to become level with the lowersurface 164 of the stopper panel 160.

FIGS. 3A-3D depict cross-sectional side views of a method 800 of formingthe flexible shoulder pin module 100. The method 800 is represented bythe block diagram in FIG. 8. At block 810, a shaft portion of a shoulderpin of a flexible shoulder pin module, before formation, is disposed ina through-hole extending from a top surface of the cylindrical bodyportion of a barrel in the flexible shoulder pin module to a bottom endof a wall projecting outward from a lower surface of an annular headportion of the barrel. The shaft portion has a bottom surface and abottom wall projecting outward from the bottom surface to surround anopening therein. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the shaft portion152 of a shoulder pin 150 is disposed in the through-hole 140 extendingfrom the top surface 122 of the body portion 120 of the barrel 105 tothe bottom end 118 of the wall 116 projecting outward from the lowersurface 114 of the head portion 110 of the barrel 105.

At block 820, a compressible device is disposed around the shaft portionand within the through-hole of the barrel. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3A, the compressible device 170 is disposed around the shaftportion 152 within the second portion 146 of the through-hole 140. Atblock 830, a stopper panel is disposed within the through-hole adjacentto the head portion such that the stopper panel connects with the bottomsurface of the shaft portion. The stopper panel has an aperture throughwhich the bottom wall of the shaft portion extends outwards. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the stopper panel 160 is disposed withinthe through-hole 140 adjacent to the head portion 110, such that thestopper panel 160 connects with the bottom surface 154 of the shaftportion 152, and the bottom wall 156 of the shaft portion 152 extendsoutwards through the aperture 166 of the stopper panel 160.

At block 840, the bottom wall of the shaft portion is flared, using apunching tool, such that the flared bottom wall is leveled with a bottomsurface of the stopper panel. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, thebottom wall 156 of the shaft portion 152 is flared such that thenow-flared bottom wall 156 is leveled with the lower surface 164 of thestopper panel 160. The bottom wall 156 may be flared by first placingthe shoulder portion 155 within an opening 335 in the anvil 330 suchthat top surface 122 of the body portion 120 rests against an uppersurface 332 of the anvil. A punching tool 380 is then used through theaperture 158 of the stopper panel 160 with a force directed towards theopening 158 of the shaft portion 152.

At block 850, a pressure is applied, using a pressing tool, on the wallprojecting outward from the lower surface of the head portion of thebarrel to secure the stopper panel and the compressible device withinthe through-hole, thereby forming the flexible shoulder pin module. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 3C, a pressure is applied, using a pressingtool, on the wall 118 projecting outward from the lower surface 114 ofthe head portion 110 to secure the stopper panel 160 and thecompressible device 170 within the through-hole 140, thus forming theflexible shoulder pin module 100. The punching tool 380 may be used asthe pressing tool for this method step. However, in differentembodiments, a dedicated pressing tool, different from the punching tool380 may be used. FIG. 3D shows a cross-sectional side view of theflexible shoulder pin module 100 formed by the method 800 shown throughFIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 4A depicts a side view of a method 900 of integrating the flexibleshoulder pin module 100 with an assembly board 490. The method 900 isrepresented by the block diagram in FIG. 9. At block 910, a mountinghole is formed on the assembly board through which the cylindrical bodyportion, but not an annular head portion of the flexible shoulder pinmodule, can pass. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, a mounting hole495 is formed through the assembly board 490. The dimensions of themounting hole 495 is such that the body portion 120, but not the headportion 110 of the flexible shoulder pin module 100, can pass. Thepunching tool 380 may be used for the step of forming the mounting hole495.

At block 920, the flexible shoulder pin module is disposed through themounting hole and into an anvil such that the head portion is retainedon a side of the assembly board not facing the anvil. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 4A, the flexible shoulder pin module 100 is disposed overthe anvil 330 through the mounting hole 495 such that the body portion120 is placed within the opening 335 of the anvil, and the head portion110 is retained outside on the side of the assembly board 490 not facingthe anvil 330.

At block 930, a pressure is applied, using a pressing tool, to embed thehead portion within the assembly board. In the embodiment shown in FIG.4A, a pressure is applied, using a pressing tool, to embed the headportion 110 within the assembly board 490 such that the flexibleshoulder pin 100 is fully integrated with the assembly 490. The punchingtool 380 may be used as the pressing tool for this method step. However,in different embodiments, a dedicated pressing tool, different from thepunching tool 380, may be used. FIGS. 4B-4C show a side view and a topview, respectively, of the flexible shoulder pin module 100 integratedwith the assembly board 490. One or more flexible shoulder pin module100 may be integrated into the assembly 490, according to the method1000 described herein.

FIGS. 5A-5B show perspective views of a method 1000 for installing a PCB505 or another panel horizontally mounted on the assembly board 490using flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c to form ahorizontal PCB assembly 500. The PCB 505 is similar to the PCB 210described above. The PCB 505 has four holes 510 a, 510 b, 510 c, and 510d which allow the PCB 505 to be mechanically fastened to the assemblyboard 490. The PCB 505 also includes a hard drive connector 520 andgolden finger connectors 550 a, 550 b.

FIGS. 6A-6B show perspective views of the method 1000 for installing thePCB 605 or another panel vertically mounted on an assembly board 690using one or more flexible shoulder pin modules 100 to form a verticalPCB assembly 600. The PCB 605 is similar to the PCB 210 described above.The PCB 605 has four holes 610 a, 610 b, 610 c, and 610 d which allowthe PCB 605 to be mechanically fastened to the assembly board 690. ThePCB 605 also includes a power connector 620, PCIe signal connector 660,and mating connectors 650 a, 650 b configured to mate with the goldenfinger connectors 550 a, 550 b.

The method 1000 is represented by the block diagram of FIG. 10. At block1010, one or more flexible shoulder pin modules are formed. In theembodiments shown herein, the flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530b, and 530 c in FIGS. 5A-5B and the flexible shoulder pin modules 630 a,630 b, and 630 c in FIGS. 6A-6B are substantially similar to theflexible shoulder pin module 100, and formed by the method 800 describedabove with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D.

At block 1020, the one or more flexible shoulder pin modules areintegrated with the assembly board. In some embodiments shown herein,the flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c are integratedwith the assembly board 490 in FIGS. 5A-5B, and the flexible shoulderpin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c are integrated with the assemblyboard 690 in FIGS. 6A-6B by the method 900 described above with respectto FIGS. 4A-4C. At block 1030, one end of the panel is fastened to theassembly board by a screw. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5B and6A-6B, one end of the PCBs 505, 605 is fastened to the assembly boards490, 690 by means of screws 540, 640 passing through holes 530 d, 630 drespectively on the PCBs 505, 605, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B.

At block 1040, the one or more flexible shoulder pin modules areinserted into a corresponding hole in the panel. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 5A-5B, the flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530c are inserted into corresponding holes 510 a, 510 b, and 510 c on thePCB 505. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the flexible shoulderpin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c are inserted into correspondingholes 610 a, 610 b, and 610 c on the PCB 605.

At block 1050, each of the one or more flexible shoulder pin modules arepressed against the panel until a shoulder portion of a shoulder pin ineach of the one or more flexible shoulder pin modules clamps the panelagainst a top surface of a cylindrical body portion in each of the oneor more flexible shoulder pin modules. In the embodiment shown in FIG.5A, the PCB 505 is moved in the direction of arrow C parallel to theplane of the assembly board 490 to lock the flexible shoulder pinmodules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c in the corresponding holes 510 a, 510 b,and 510 c. Subsequently the PCB 505 is pressed towards the assemblyboard 490 in a direction perpendicular to the arrow C. The pressure ofthe flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c against thePCB 505 secures the PCB 505 to the assembly board 490. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 6A, the PCB 605 is moved in the direction of arrow Kparallel to the plane of the assembly board 690 to lock the flexibleshoulder pin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c in the corresponding holes610 a, 610 b, and 610 c. Subsequently the PCB 605 is pressed towards theassembly board 690 in a direction perpendicular to the arrow K. Thepressure of the flexible shoulder pin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 cagainst the PCB 605 secures the PCB 605 to the assembly board 690. Ascan be explained with respect to the flexible shoulder pin module 100shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the pressure is applied until the shoulder portion155 of the shoulder pin 150 in the flexible shoulder pin module 100clamps the PCBs 505, 605 against the top surface 122 of the body portion120, such that the compressible device 170 is compressed within thethrough-hole 140 to secure the PCBs 505, 605 to the assembly boards 490,690.

The flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c in FIGS. 5A-5Band the flexible shoulder pin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c in FIGS.6A-6B also enable easy removal of the PCBs 505, 605 from the assemblyboards 490, 690 respectively. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, thePCB 505 is lifted-up from the assembly board 490 until the flexibleshoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c unlock and unclamp againstthe PCB 505. The PCB 505 is then released by moving in the direction ofarrow B, opposite to the arrow C, parallel to the plane of the assemblyboard 490. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the PCB 605 is lifted-upfrom the assembly board 690 until the flexible shoulder pin modules 630a, 630 b, and 630 c unlock and unclamp against the PCB 605. The PCB 605is then released by moving in the direction of arrow J, opposite to thearrow K, parallel to the plane of the assembly board 690.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of initiating a golden finger matingbetween the PCB 505 of FIGS. 5A-5B and the PCB 605 of FIGS. 6A-6B, whileFIG. 7B is a perspective view of completed golden finger mating betweenthe PCBs 505, 605. The flexible shoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and530 c enable the PCB 505 to be tightly secured to the assembly board 490to form the horizontal PCB assembly 500, as described above. Theflexible shoulder pin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c enable the PCB 605to be tightly secured to the assembly board 690 to form the vertical PCBassembly 600, as described above. The horizontal PCB assembly 500 ismoved towards the vertical PCB assembly 600 in a direction of arrow Rsuch that the golden fingers 550 a, 550 b of the horizontal PCB assembly500 can firmly mate with the mating connectors 650 a, 650 b of thevertical PCB assembly 600. Without implementation of the flexibleshoulder pin modules 530 a, 530 b, and 530 c in the horizontal PCBassembly 500 and flexible shoulder pin modules 630 a, 630 b, and 630 cin the vertical PCB assembly 600, the PCBs 505 and 605 may be misalignedand exceed the maximum clearance allowed for firm mating of the goldenfingers 550 a, 550 b with the mating connectors 650 a, 650 b, resultingin physical damage to any of the golden fingers 550 a, 550 b or with themating connectors 650 a, 650 b, particularly in a blind mating scenario.

The embodiments of flexible shoulder pin modules described herein can beadvantageously used to secure and release PCBs and panels to assemblyboards. The PCBs and panels can be easily secured to assembly boards bypressing the shoulder portions of the flexible shoulder pin modules. ThePCBs and panels can be quickly removed from assembly boards by simplysliding the PCBs and panels sideways and lifting off. The design of theflexible shoulder pin modules saves valuable time during theinstallation process and dramatically reduces the amount of floatingmovement and loose/unattached hardware in the assembly. This renderssignificant advantage during blind mating of golden finger matingbetween two assembly boards.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,”or the like, generally refer to a computer-related entity, eitherhardware (e.g., a circuit), a combination of hardware and software,software, or an entity related to an operational machine with one ormore specific functionalities. For example, a component may be, but isnot limited to being, a process running on a processor (e.g., digitalsignal processor), a processor, an object, an executable, a thread ofexecution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both anapplication running on a controller, as well as the controller, can be acomponent. One or more components may reside within a process and/orthread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computerand/or distributed between two or more computers. Further, a “device”can come in the form of specially designed hardware; generalizedhardware made specialized by the execution of software thereon thatenables the hardware to perform specific function; software stored on acomputer-readable medium; or a combination thereof.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. Although the invention has beenillustrated and described with respect to one or more embodiments,equivalent alterations and modifications will occur or be known toothers skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of thisspecification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particularfeature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to onlyone of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one ormore other features of the other embodiments as may be desired andadvantageous for any given or particular application. Thus, the breadthand scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention shouldbe defined in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,”“includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof, are used ineither the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, terms, such as those definedin commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevantart, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

1. A flexible shoulder pin module comprising: a barrel comprising: anannular head portion; a cylindrical body portion formed on the headportion, the body portion having a lesser perimeter and a greater heightthan the head portion; and a through-hole extending from a top surfaceof the body portion to a bottom end of the head portion, thethrough-hole having a first portion adjacent to the top surface of thebody portion and a second portion having a greater diameter than thefirst portion; a shoulder pin comprising: a shaft portion configured tobe insertable through the first portion of the through-hole and extendabove the top surface of the body portion; and a shoulder portion formedon the shaft portion and configured to adjustably extend above the topsurface of the body portion to clamp a panel thereto; a stopper panelconfigured to be coupled to the shaft portion within the second portionof the through-hole adjacent to the head portion; and a compressibledevice configured to be disposed around the shaft portion and securedwithin the second portion of the through-hole by the stopper panel. 2.The flexible shoulder pin module of claim 1, wherein the head portionhas a base of a closed geometric shape.
 3. The flexible shoulder pinmodule of claim 1, wherein the body portion has a base of a closedgeometric shape.
 4. The flexible shoulder pin module of claim 1, whereinthe compressible device is configured to compress within the secondportion of the through-hole when the panel is secured to the assemblyand configured to decompress within the second portion of thethrough-hole when the panel is released from the assembly.
 5. Theflexible shoulder pin module of claim 1, wherein the compressible deviceis a mechanical spring.
 6. The flexible shoulder pin module of claim 1,wherein the shoulder portion of the shoulder pin has a chamfered edgecontacting the panel.
 7. The flexible shoulder pin module of claim 1,wherein the second portion of the through-hole has a flared wallconnecting to the first portion of the through-hole.
 8. The flexibleshoulder pin module of claim 1, wherein the shaft portion has aflareable bottom wall projecting outward from a bottom surface thereofto, the flareable bottom wall configured to be disposed through anaperture in the stopper panel.
 9. An assembly comprising: at least oneassembly board; and a panel secured to the at least one assembly boardby a screw and at least one flexible shoulder pin module, the at leastone flexible shoulder pin module comprising: a barrel comprising: anannular head portion; a cylindrical body portion formed on the headportion, the body portion having a lesser perimeter and a greater heightthan the head portion; and a through-hole extending from a top surfaceof the body portion to a bottom end of the head portion, thethrough-hole having a first portion adjacent to the top surface of thebody portion and a second portion having a greater diameter than thefirst portion; a shoulder pin comprising: a shaft portion configured tobe insertable through the first portion of the through-hole and extendabove the top surface of the body portion; and a shoulder portion formedon the shaft portion and configured to adjustably extend above the topsurface of the body portion to clamp a panel thereto; a stopper panelconfigured to be coupled to the shaft portion within the second portionof the through-hole adjacent to the head portion; and a compressibledevice configured to be disposed around the shaft portion and securedwithin the second portion of the through-hole by the stopper panel. 10.The assembly of claim 9, wherein the head portion has a base of a closedgeometric shape.
 11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the body portionhas a base of a closed geometric shape.
 12. The assembly of claim 9,wherein the compressible device is configured to compress within thesecond portion of the through-hole when the panel is secured to theassembly and configured to decompress within the second portion of thethrough-hole when the panel is released from the assembly.
 13. Theassembly of claim 9, wherein the compressible device is a mechanicalspring.
 14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the shoulder portion of theshoulder pin has a chamfered edge contacting the panel.
 15. The assemblyof claim 9, wherein the second portion of the through-hole has a flaredwall connecting to the first portion of the through-hole.
 16. Theassembly of claim 9, wherein the shaft portion has a flareable bottomwall projecting outward from a bottom surface thereof to, the flareablebottom wall configured to be disposed through an aperture in the stopperpanel.
 17. A method of installing a panel on an assembly board of anassembly, the method comprising: forming one or more flexible shoulderpin modules; integrating the one or more flexible shoulder pin moduleswith the assembly board; fastening one end of the panel to the assemblyboard by a screw; inserting each of the one or more flexible shoulderpin modules into a corresponding hole in the panel; and pressing each ofthe one or more flexible shoulder pin modules against the panel until ashoulder portion of a shoulder pin in each of the one or more flexibleshoulder pin modules clamps the panel against a top surface of acylindrical body portion in each of the one or more flexible shoulderpin modules.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein forming one or moreflexible shoulder pin modules further comprises: disposing a shaftportion of the shoulder pin in each flexible shoulder pin module, beforeformation, in a through-hole extending from a top surface of thecylindrical body portion of a barrel in each flexible shoulder pinmodule to a bottom end of a wall projecting outward from a lower surfaceof an annular head portion of the barrel, the shaft portion having abottom surface and a bottom wall projecting outward from the bottomsurface to surround an opening therein; disposing a compressible devicearound the shaft portion and within the through-hole of the barrel;disposing a stopper panel within the through-hole adjacent to the headportion such that the stopper panel connects with the bottom surface ofthe shaft portion, the stopper panel having an aperture through whichthe bottom wall of the shaft portion extends outwards; flaring thebottom wall of the shaft portion, using a punching tool, such that theflared bottom wall is leveled with a bottom surface of the stopperpanel; and applying a pressure, using a pressing tool, on the wallprojecting outward from the lower surface of the head portion to securethe stopper panel and the compressible device within the through-hole,thereby forming the flexible shoulder pin module.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein integrating a flexible shoulder pin module with theassembly board further comprises: forming a mounting hole on theassembly board through which the cylindrical body portion but not anannular head portion of the flexible shoulder pin module can pass;disposing the flexible shoulder pin module through the mounting hole andinto an anvil such that the head portion is retained on a side of theassembly board not facing the anvil; and applying a pressure, using thepressing tool, to embed the head portion within the assembly board. 20.The method of claim 18, wherein the compressible device is a mechanicalspring.